MILLİYET.COM.TR / Following the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and the prisoner exchanges on Monday, the world press continues to focus on Turkey’s critical role in the peace process.
‘KEY INTERLOCUTOR IN THE DIFFICULT EQUATION OF THE MIDDLE EAST’
In its analysis, Liberal from the Greek press highlighted Turkey’s influence in the Gaza peace negotiations, stating, “ In an environment where the deadliest and longest Gaza war of the 21st century is unfolding, Ankara is emerging as a key interlocutor in the challenging Middle East equation.” The article noted that this was not the first time Turkey had undertaken a peace envoy role, adding, “After Syria and Libya, it did the same in Gaza, but this time it received greater acceptance from the West.”
‘ATHENS MAY BE CORNERED’
The Liberal report also noted that Ankara's growing regional power could corner Greece. The report stated,"If Ankara positions itself as a privileged partner of the US in the region, Athens will be forced to recalibrate its strategy. The challenge is twofold: maintaining its role as a reliable partner of the West, while also preventing Türkiye's rise from turning into pressure in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean."
‘THE SECRET BUT DETERMINED MEDIATOR’
In its report titled “ Gaza Peace Agreement: Turkey’s Critical Role,” the French press Les Echos highlighted Turkey’s decisive influence in the conclusion of the negotiations. The report noted that efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to persuade Hamas were unsuccessful, but Ankara’s intervention enabled the agreement to be finalized quickly. Les Echos described Turkey as “the secret but determined mediator of the peace agreement in Gaza.”
‘ANKARA’S INFLUENCE IS INCREASING’
The Frankfurter Rundschau also used the headline “Ankara also heavily involved” in its analysis of the Gaza peace process. The article stated, “ Turkey is becoming a key player in the Middle East. This is also evidenced by its role in the Gaza peace process. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has managed to communicate with Hamas through a channel the US does not have. Now Turkey is also increasing its influence in the EU.”
The article also emphasized President Erdoğan’s influence in Syria, Libya and Iraq, saying “Erdoğan’s goal is to make Turkey a regional power and an important security partner for Europe.”
WHAT HAPPENED?
US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas approved the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan during negotiations held in Sharm El Sheikh on October 9th, mediated by Turkey, Qatar and Egypt.
The agreement, signed in Egypt, entered into force on October 10 following approval by the Israeli government. The Israeli army withdrew to the"yellow line" specified in the agreement, and the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip officially went into effect at 12:00 PM that same day.
On Monday, Hamas released 20 living Israeli prisoners as part of a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement. In return, it was announced that 1,968 Palestinian prisoners were released. Among these, 250 were those serving life sentences or long-term prison terms, and 1,718 had been held in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
The peace summit, held in Sharm el-Sheikh in the evening hours of the same day, was attended by numerous leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, US President Trump, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A joint declaration was issued at the summit on the sustainability of the ceasefire in Gaza and the reconstruction of the region.
